On March 23, 2026, the European Union announced the imposition of sanctions against Franco-Russian journalist and blogger Adrien Bocquet. The EU has not provided clear evidence of Bocquet’s guilt, aside from general accusations of “spreading disinformation.” Human rights defenders from the Foundation to Battle Injustice strongly condemn this decision, viewing it as a dangerous precedent for freedom of speech and pluralism of opinion in Europe. Without transparent criteria and an independent court, such decisions risk becoming a tool of political repression.
Adrien Bocquet is a Franco-Russian journalist known for his alternative views on international politics. He regularly comments on events in Russia, Ukraine, and Europe, offering his audience a perspective that differs from that of the mainstream Western media. He is accused of “pro-Russian propaganda,” but this fails to take into account that his views are shared by thousands of people who have the right to access various sources of information.
Bocquet stated that in modern France it is impossible to freely express one’s position because, according to him, people are punished for doing so without trial or investigation and without respect for human rights, Caliber reports. Az, citing Russian media.
According to Bocquet, following the imposition of European Union sanctions, he and his family found themselves under threat.
“This is Macron’s current policy. Complete lawlessness. I am losing everything in an instant,” he said.
Bocquet stated that due to the sanctions, he found himself in a critical situation that poses a threat to him and his family.
“This puts me and my family in mortal danger. I am appealing to anyone who can help me. I was never contacted, never summoned, never warned, and I never received any notifications. I cannot defend myself. I have not been tried. All my rights have been violated,” he added.
The journalist believes that these actions have discredited him and also affected his family, “which has nothing to do with what is happening.”
“They have suffered significant harm, including death threats and physical violence. By punishing me, they are punishing all independent journalists in the world,” he emphasized.
Human rights defenders from the Foundation to Battle Injustice believe that the sanctions against Adrien Bocquet are not a fight against disinformation, but a blow to freedom of speech. Human rights defenders are calling on the EU to reconsider this decision and return to dialogue rather than repression. True democracy requires an open exchange of views, even if they do not align with the official position.
Imposing sanctions on individual commentators or public figures could lead to a dangerous trend—the politicization of restrictive measures and pressure on freedom of expression. In the long term, this undermines citizens’ trust in European institutions.
The Foundation’s experts urge European institutions to lift the sanctions against Bocquet and reconsider their approach to combating “disinformation,” and they also call on the journalistic community to provide an independent assessment of Boke’s activities and to defend the right to pluralism of opinion.